There’s a good thread on this topic on the Chalk Bucket forum.
I’ve coached a few girls that swear by them. The pressure seems to reduce pain below the knee. Not prevent further injury, merely reduce pain during training.
click image to see this brand - Combination Neoprene and Lycra
This is the most common kind used. But a couple of commenters recommend the double version as being more durable and staying on better during training.
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Leave a comment if you have an opinion on these. I cannot recall seeing them on any other athletes than female Artistic gymnasts.
Updates from the comments:
Kecks tells that … “patella straps are used a lot in track (condition called “jumper’s knee”) and also in Olympic Weightlifting …”
Skyrider95 sees … “a lot of of male and female trampolinists and tumblers” … wearing them
Nica tells that … “figure skaters use them ALOT, we all have jumpers knees, we practically invented that injury haha” …
7 comments ↓
These patella straps are used a lot in track (condition called "jumper's knee") and also in Olympic Weightlifting, where problems "below the knee" are common with high level athletes (due to training load and numbers done in the gym). They reduce pain A LOT. The problems arise due to overuse of the patella; the straps mechanically reduce zu pressure on the patella by pushing down the patella tendon. You can also use some tape to do this.
To get rid of the pain you have to rest the knee for several (!!) weeks. Applying Diclac or similiar stuff helps. No painful activities whatsoever. Especially no running, jumping or squatting (especially not the first quarter of the squat). Rehab the knee by stretching and strengthening the muscles, which are too tight or too weak (see a physiotherapist who works with athletes).
Alot of male and female trampolinists and tumblers wear them, some as a thing, others only when recovering from knee injuries, anything from a sprain to torn or ruptured ACL and MCL.
some people also say that they help with the pain you get from shin splints but I don't know wether thats true or a piece of crap
I used to wear one when I had osgood schlatters. I found that it really didn’t do much at all. However, the neoprene sleeve knee braces seemed to work quite well.
figure skaters use them ALOT, we all have jumpers knees, we practically invented that injury haha. alot of girls use prewrap rolled up into a makeshift strap
I wore a form of one everyday. I would make one out of pre-wrap to help with my tendinitis in my knee. I really think it did help me because it would put pressure on my fat pad which is where the pain was mostly at.
i have found by taking a piece of athletic tape a few feet long and folding it in half so its not sticky, then placing pre-wrap around the lower knee ares you can tie this tape around and make the tie where the knee hurts. then place athletic tape on top of it to allow it to stick. I like it better than the braces and i used it for 4 years in high school soccer, and XC
Thanks Anna. … Seems many athletes prefer a home made system. Like you.
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